Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Program

The Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Program at Texas Children’s Cancer and Hematology Center offers comprehensive family-centered care for children with these complex blood disorders. Our individualized course of treatment includes patient care, education, psychosocial support services, screening and counseling for children and their families. Serving over 1,200 children, our program is one of the largest in Texas. The Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Program offers the latest disease modifying therapies (e.g., hydroxyurea), transfusions and stem cell transplantation. The program participates in investigator-initiated and industry-sponsored clinical trials to help make new therapies available to patients.

Multidisciplinary care

Our multidisciplinary team is made up of board-certified pediatric hematologists, hematology-trained nurse practitioners and physician assistants, research staff and social workers. In addition, we offer psychological support and counseling services to help families cope with difficult social, emotional and financial issues brought on by the disease’s medical complications, especially debilitating pain crises. Texas Children’s Sickle Cell and Thalassemia Program offers excellent ambulatory services, including outpatient blood transfusion and pain treatment programs, a sickle cell pulmonary clinic, sickle cell stroke clinic and genetic counseling, all in one location. In addition, our program offers comprehensive services for thalassemia, including endocrinology, and imaging for management of iron overload.

When it’s time, we continue to provide support to ensure a smooth transition to adult care.